Friday, 13 April 2012

Academy Award winner Halle Berry grew up in a household where domestic violence was present, and has since made it her goal to pay it forward by supporting the Jenesse Center, an organization that provides support for victims of domestic abuse.

This weekend, the organization held their "Silver Rose Awards and Auction Gala" to honor supporters and "those who make hope tangible."
At the gala, Berry said the event is "so personal to me because it's a way to extricate my own demons by doing something to help others... it's really fulfilling work."
To learn more about the "Silver Rose" honorees, go to jenesse.org.

LOS ANGELES, CA, Apr 12, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Jenesse Center is proud to welcome the incomparable nine-time Grammy Award winning recording artist Mary J. Blige to perform at the 2012 Silver Rose Gala and Auction on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows at 6:00pm.
An iconic American artist who has defined many key moments in the musical landscape of our time, Blige is ranked by Billboard Magazine as the "Most successful female R&B artist of the past 25 years." She is also ranked by VH1as one of the "100 Greatest Women in Music" and by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time."
Avis Frazier-Thomas, Jenesse Board President, said, "We are honored and overjoyed to welcome one of the greatest artists of our time, Mary J. Blige. She exemplifies the heart of many women here in America and around the globe. Her music is a message of hope and joy, which is why it is such a privilege to have her join us to spread Jenesse's message of hope to women and families everywhere."
The event will raise funds and salute important community figures who advance Jenesse Center's mission to protect families from the ravages of domestic violence. Jenesse Center is a national non-profit domestic violence intervention and prevention organization that provides a holistic, comprehensive program to nurture victimized families back to a place of mental, financial, physical and emotional well-being.
The theme for the 2012 Silver Rose is "Welcome." Frazier-Thomas said, "We chose the theme 'Welcome' because it's a simple word that embodies the hopes and dreams of families looking for a fresh start. It's the affirmation that lets people know they are home."
This year's distinguished 2012 Silver Rose Honorees include Ingrid Roberts, Managing Director for First Picks Management and Xerox Corporation, who will be recognized at the Silver Rose Gala and Auction, and Paula Williams Madison, who will be recognized at the 4th Annual Halle Berry Celebrity Golf Classic on Monday, April 16, 2012 at Wilshire Country Club. These individuals and corporations are representative of Jenesse's strategic vision to change the world by welcoming the very best ideas and opportunities for families.
Jenesse is proud to present the first ever Fannie Lou Hamer Award to Schinal Walker, a former Jenesse client who is now an active spokesperson and advocate for women and girls overcoming domestic violence. Walker said, "No matter what we are feeling, it makes it worse when we feel it alone. We must use our voice to educate these women and girls who are battered and abused or in danger of that, and I will not stop using mine. Never again will I silence my voice! I will continue to raise awareness and take a stance. This is just the beginning!"
Women from the Jenesse shelter will design the floral arrangements for this year's event, which will be available for auction at the end of the gala. The event planners joined with Jenesse this year to teach the skill set of masterful floral design to the women, so they would learn a new skill set and enjoy an opportunity to contribute to success of the gala event. Guests who bid on the floral arrangements will take home a treasure that was literally touched by one of the women who Jenesse helps and who represents the reason the event is produced. Silver Rose Gala Chair Pat Greene said, "We are proud of the women from our shelter who were hands on in designing our floral arrangements this year. I have seen the arrangements and they are stunning. What is more spectacular is the joy the women had in producing them and the pride they feel in not just designing the flowers but designing their own destiny to move towards hope and a fresh start in life."
The official sponsors of the 2012 Silver Rose Weekend include Xerox, Verizon, BET Networks, Ciroc, Nestle USA, NBC Universal, SEIU ULTCW, Southwest Airlines, Good Works Makes A Difference and The Tyler Foundation For Disabilities. Karen Earl, Executive Director of the Jenesse Center, said, "Jenesse Center has been fortunate to draw sponsors who make our mission their own and we are grateful for their contribution to help give women and families peace and a chance at a new beginning."
Halle Berry, Silver Rose Chairperson, said, "The Silver Rose Weekend will raise much needed funds and awareness to help families victimized by domestic violence. Over the past 14 years, I've watched the lives of countless families transformed and I am excited about the future for these families as we work to build on our success and bring an end to their suffering one family at a time."
For more information on the 2012 Silver Rose Weekend, please call Jenesse Center at 323.299.9496, ext. 103 or visit the website at www.jenesse.org . Event will feature a silent, live and national online auction. All events are ticketed and open to the public.

To view a video from last year's event, visit http://www.jenesse.org/media/events/srw11/index.html .
Click here to view the Press Kit.

There's been a lot of talk lately about a potential spin-off to NBC's The Office tentatively titled The Farm, following the one and only Dwight Schrute. And while that sounds appealing, more often than not the spin-off doesn't live up or even come close to the original. Joey. However, one of the really great spin-offs of recent memory was Frasier, which managed to put out eleven seasons of a distinct and equally funny series.

After Cheers closed its doors, Dr. Frasier Crane moved to Seattle and started a radio show where he provided free psychiatric advice to just about anyone who felt like calling in. And, what many people don't know is, many of those callers were celebrity cameos and now you can see just who was ringing in with what problem thanks to this collection. It's actually a little surprising and pretty impressive wide variety of stars that NBC managed to get over the years. Take a look.

The six minute video contains countless callers and a lot of them are quite funny. Some of my favorites include a young Macaulay Culkin pulling a Home Alone like routine (oddly enough, a young Elijah Wood also calls, which makes a Good Son six degrees of Kevin Bacon kind of connection, even stranger because Bacon himself calls), Gary Sinese and his fear of talking on the phone, Jon Lithgow hawking his used cars and, of course, Carrie Fisher telling him, "help me Dr. Crane, you're my only hope." Actually almost every cameo in the six minute video offers a least a chuckle and it's definitely worth the watch. I miss this show, Grammer's a little more serious on Boss.

He is in the midst of a messy custody battle as his former flame tries to uproot their daughter to France.
And while Halle Berry is attempting to prove his schedule would allow regular travel, Gabriel Aubry seemed more focussed on proving what a good father he is today.
The model was seen effortlessly carrying Nahla with one arm as he walked in the Los Angeles sunshine.

Daddy Day Care: Gabriel Aubry couldn't stop grinning as he spent time with his daughter Nahla

Gabriel used his free hand to hold the four-year-old’s adorable miniature bumble bee rucksack.
The star went incognito with a baseball cap and sunglasses to spend the day with his daughter, also sporting a casual ensemble of a grey hooded jumper, white tank top, jeans and flip flops.
Meanwhile Nahla was dressed sweetly in a cream cardigan, matching leggings and shoes and a green patterned skirt.

Effortless: Gabriel carried Nahla on one arm and used the other to hold her rucksack

Gabriel listened intently with a huge smile on his face as the youngster chatted animatedly.
When they reached the model’s car, he playfully swung the excited child inside.
The star always appears delighted when he is bonding with his little girl but he may be seeing a lot less of her if he loses the bitter custody battle.

Carried away: Gabriel swung the excited four-year-old into the car as they made their way home

Incognito: Gabriel wore a baseball cap and sunglasses for the day with his daughter

Halle is hoping to move herself and Nahla to Paris to live with her fiancé Olivier Martinez.
According to recent reports by TMZ the Catwoman star’s legal counsel hope to prove that Gabriel’s modelling schedule would mean he has plenty of free time to travel back and forth from the US to Europe to visit Nahla.
It is claimed he works sporadically as a model and she thinks he can still maintain a meaningful relationship with his daughter even if it is a long-distance one.

Making the most of it: The pair won't get to spend so much time together if Gabriel loses the custody battle

Bonding: The pair enjoyed the Los Angeles sunshine together as they walked outdoors

Life's a beach! Olivier Martinez bonds with Halle Berry's daughter Nahla on a day out in Malibu

She is currently embroiled in a legal spat with her former partner Gabriel Aubry over their four-year-old daughter Nahla.
But while Halle Berry is reportedly attempting to win permission to move the youngster to her fiancé Olivier Martinez's native France, the group have been putting on a touching display during the Easter break.

Family day out: American Actress Halle Berry and partner Olivier Martinez spent the day at the beach with Halle's daughter Nahla Aubry in Malibu

Apple of their eye: Olivier keeps a watchful eye on Nahla as he and Halle stroll together on Malibu Beach

The actress and her loved ones took to Malibu where they frolicked on the beach.
The 45-year-old appeared to be in utter bliss as she enjoyed the fresh ocean air and having her two favourite people around her.

Rock out! Mother and daughter selected large stones from the water

Barefoot beauties: The 45-year-old is taking time off during the Easter break to entertain her four-year-old

Nature's biggest fan: Nahla found the things around her very intriguing during the beach trip

The busy star took time out from the time consuming school runs she is often seen on to play in the sand with her child.
Wearing a pink bikini underneath a loose white T-shirt and denim shorts, the pixie-haired movie star looked effortlessly good.
Her little girl was dressed in a pretty multi-coloured striped dress but despite her delicate look, she clearly has a tomboy personality.

Tomboy: The little girl sat on a makeshift swing as Olivier manned the ropes

Having fun: The two got to bond as they legally prepare to become a unit

Don't let me go! The Frenchman took Nahla for a tiny dip in the ocean

Nahla was enthusiastic about discovering the nature around her, running up and down the shore to collect decayed palm leaves and large rocks.
And she appeared to be getting along brilliantly with her future step-father, swinging on makeshift apparatus under the Frenchman’s guidance.
The two even had some alone time as he took the little girl for a small dip in the water while her mother captured the moment on camera.

Effortless style: Halle looked great in an oversized white T-shirt and denim shorts

Wanting a new start: She is currently embroiled in a custody battle with her ex Gabriel Aubry

Picture perfect: Berry captures a touching moment on her camera phone

According to TMZ.com, Berry's legal council hope to prove that Gabriel’s modelling schedule would mean he has plenty of free time to travel back and forth from the US to Europe to visit his child.
However Gabriel is vigorously opposing the proposed move, which must be approved by the custody judge.

Relocation: She is hoping to move to Olivier's native France

Practicing parenthood: The couple explored the beach area during their family day out

Still smitten: Grinning Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez are the epitome of a happily engaged couple on shopping trip

They became engaged at the start of the year and there's no denying Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez are still smitten.
The pair stepped out in Los Angeles on Thursday walking along hand in hand.
And they couldn't contain their happiness as they both laughed and smiled widely during their shopping expedition.

Smitten: Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez showed they're happily engaged as they prowled around the shops in Los Angeles with big grins on their faces

Halle, 45, looked content and care free in her smart casual get-up.

The actress wore a pair of skinny black jeans with a shiny finish and some flat loafers with a grey loose fitting jumper.
And she finished her look off with a black jacket and aviator shades, while her hair was styled in a flicked up crop.
Olivier, 46, showed he was firmly in sync with his future wife as he also stepped out in a pair of aviators.

Close: The pair have got even closer since becoming engaged to marry earlier this year

The French actor was also the epitome of happiness as he looked fresh and stylish in a pair of jeans with a blue T-shirt.
And he smartened the look up with some smart shoes and a leather jacket, which complimented Halle's shiny trousers.
Olivier showed he was a true gentleman as he carried their shopping bags while they chatted and smiled amongst themselves.

In sync: They both went for smart casual get-ups for their walk around the sunny city

The pair confirmed news of their engagement last month after dating for almost two years.
And the Catwoman star has since been spotted showing off her emerald sparkler on her wedding finger.
Halle was obviously putting her woes behind her as she soaked up the LA sun with her beau.

Engaged: They became engaged at the start of the year after almost two years of dating

She is currently embroiled in a legal spat with her former partner Gabriel Aubry over their four-year-old daughter Nahla.
Berry is reportedly attempting to win permission to move the youngster to Olivier's native France.
According to TMZ.com, Berry's legal council hope to prove that his modelling schedule would mean he has plenty of free time to travel back and forth from the US to Europe to visit his four-year-old little girl.
However Gabriel is vigorously opposing the proposed move, which must be approved by the custody judge.

Putting their problems behind them: Halle is currently embroiled in a custody battle with her ex over their daughter Nahla